Through A Glass, Darkly is a 45 minute choral oratorio looking at the effects of crystal meth addiction in the GLBT community. It is written for men's chorus and 3 male soloists. The story loosely follows a 36-hour period in the life of Sebastian, a young and successful businessman, as he 'hits bottom' due to his chronic use of methamphetamine. Sebastian is about to lose everything and everyone close to him, while both his long-time partner Zack and one-night-stand Billy face the cold truth that they have been lied to and left behind.

Through A Glass, Darkly is about shattered dreams, dreams unrealized, and dreams deferred. It is about the fear of being alone, the fear of not fitting in, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. It explores the truth that, with support from our friends, we can gain the insight to see life more clearly.

Suggested programming is to feature Through A Glass, Darkly as Act II of a concert themed around family, friendship, or community support.

Synopsis

As the scene opens, Sebastian, a successful Wall Street-type and meth addict, sneaks out of the house he shares with his long-time partner Zack and heads out to a club in search of new adventure (Opener). There, he seduces a fresh new face, Billy, and they retire to a hotel where Sebastian introduces him to the drug (Stay A While). Billy and Sebastian get high (Transitions). Sebastian quickly tires of Billy and the situation and seeks a way to duck out (Just Another Night). After Sebastian leaves, Billy and Zack separately find themselves awaiting Sebastian's return. Zack decides to leave, begins to pack a suitcase, and finds an old photo album. He nostalgically flips through it, recalling better times (The Ordinary Things).

The story pauses for a commentary on the absurd commonness of crystal meth's ingredients and its devastating effects on the body (Making It). The Chorus comments on the surreal denials of the meth epidemic, as drugs are not conversation for polite company (Let's Pretend).

Billy and Zack, in their separate worlds, each find themselves now wondering where Sebastian is and when he might return (Any Minute Now). But Sebastian is nowhere to be found, and friends and neighbors start to notice his absence (Did You Know). The Chorus reflects on our search for love, and our dreams which we sometimes have to set aside for another day (We Hope). Messages to Sebastian go unanswered -- he has lost his job, is losing his friends, and leaves everyone in the dark (Messages). Upon returning home, Sebastian denies that he has a problem and turns his wrath upon Zack, the one person who has supported him for years (What Problem). Zack laments what they have lost to the drug, and Sebastian sees his reflection in the mirror for the first time and what he has become (If You Only Knew).

Background

Originally commissioned by Dr. Stan Hill and the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus for their 2007-2008 season and underwritten through the generosity of Alan Braun.

The world premiere was March 29, 2008 at Ted Mann Hall on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. Twin Cities Public TV taped this concert along with some interviews with the soloists and artistic team. The video premiered statewide in Minnesota on June 21, 2008 and is available for purchase on DVD from TCGMC.org.

On July 15, 2008 the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus presented Through A Glass, Darkly at Miami's Ziff Ballet Opera House for their GALA Choruses Festival 2008 concert block performance. The TCGMC presented two fully-staged encore performances on July 16, 2008 at the Hilton Miami Downtown ballroom.

For More Information

Performance licenses for Through A Glass, Darkly are available exclusively through FatLab Music. Please send us an email.

Royalty fees are calculated as a percentage of 70% of the gross potential ticket revenue.

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Non-Profit Organization rate:*

3.5% of 70% of Total Gross Box Office Potential - (Number of Performances x Venue Capacity x Weighted Ticket Revenue Potential) - rounded down to nearest $100.
Minimum royalty: $300.

This fee includes:

• A non-exclusive license to perform Through a Glass, Darkly.
• Performance-ready audio accompaniment tracks in multiple formats:
  • Audio CD master – stereo instrumental tracks (for rehearsal)
  • Audio CD master – split: music track L, metronome click R (for performance)
• Data DVD containing:
  • README Guide to the Materials (PDF)
  • Complete Reference Demo recording – MP3 and CD-quality source audio
  • 24bit, 44.1K WAVs – stereo accompaniment track, mono metronome click (suitable for ADAT-HD or other multitrack playback devices)
  • 16bit, 44.1K WAVs – stereo instrumental tracks source audio
  • 16bit, 44.1K WAVs – music track L, metronome click R source audio
  • PDF script and score files:
    • TTBB choral scores
    • Piano/Vocal rehearsal scores
    • Libretto

Optional add-ons:

$500 - Complete set of audio learning tracks with each vocal/choral part isolated.
(Delivered on 7 audio CD masters and also as 192K MP3s for each part - for duplication and private distribution to members.)

$100 - Oboe & Piano instrumental parts with Conductor's scores for movements "1. Opener" and "13. If You Only Knew".

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NOTE:

• No live instrumentalists are required to perform Through A Glass, Darkly in its entirety.
• Scores are delivered electronically in PDF format on a data DVD-ROM disc. No printed materials are supplied. You may email these PDFs (or otherwise privately distribute them) to chorus members.
• An optional, alternative version of the performance track is available to accommodate live oboe and piano for movements #1 and #13. PDF instrumental parts are available for an additional fee.
• Broadcast and merchandising rights are *not* automatically granted in the performance license but may be separately negotiated.
• An optional rider permitting recording may be added - current Statutory Mechanical License rates apply.
• All terms stated above will be presented in a formal license agreement.

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Example Royalty Calculation for Fictional Chorus

Tickets made available for sale at Fictional Concert Hall, per performance:
Orchestra - 300 seats @ $50 = $15,000
Mezzanine - 200 seats @ $35 = $7,000
Balcony - 200 seats @ $20 = $4,000

$26,000 total revenue potential, per performance
x 2 performances
x 70% of the total house
x 3.5%* royalty
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$1,274 -> $1,200 royalty for Fictional Chorus + any optional add-ons

* royalty rates effective August 1, 2008 - subject to change